Houston Roadrunner

We were booked on the Dubai to New York segment.  Thorough shock -- today I received notification from American Express that a credit was issued from Cunard.  The total is every cent I paid, including CunardCare.  I didn't book airfare through Cunard so still need to see what happens there.

12 hours ago, Shawski said:

Does anyone know if Oceania has a special phone number for passengers with special needs?

I called the customer service number on the web site, told them my needs, and was directed to the correct department.  Handled efficiently.

I have an IPhone and was able to send and receive text messages in wifi mode.  My ATT service allows my phone to switch automatically to wifi when cellular service is not available or poor.

To go back to the original question "improving or on a downhill run?", my feeling is that Princess in on a very rapid downhill run.  When I first started sailing Princess, it was like the Nordstrom of cruises.  Then it moved downward to Macy's.  In June, I debarked from an 18-day Transatlantic on the Island Princess, and let me tell you, it was a Dollar Tree cruise.  It was truly the cruise from hell.  Food was awful, internet non-existent (even in port), surly crew (new experience), never received a fully correct order from room service, etc., etc.  Little problem with medallion, rather liked it once I got one with a live battery.  The system is just not as sophisticated as advertised. 

This last cruise did it for me and Princess.  (I didn't write about the worse things that happened or didn't happen.)  Just booked a HAL but have some concerns because Carnival combined the leadership for HAL and Princess under Jan Swartz, who was the president of Princess.  She is now Group President of Holland America Group, and the president of Princess, John Padgett, reports to her.  Since she was the president of Princess during what I consider a major downhill run, I wonder if the same is in store for HAL.

I also sail Viking and Oceania.  It is certainly a different experience on their ships, but due to the major differences in price points, I don't try to compare.  In fact, my next cruise in 70 days is a 39-day Viking Ocean cruise.  To correct some misinformation -- if you regularly cruise Viking you can negotiate a 6-month pre-pay even if you book out 2 years.

I've also sailed with Celebrity and Carnival.  Am still open-minded about Celebrity.  Carnival (the short cruises) is fine for the party animals but I'm far past those days now.  Good wine, good food, good music, a spacious cabin, and good balcony chairs is all I need these days along with my sweet hubby who will go with me on any cruise I come up with.

46 minutes ago, whataboutport said:

What is the military obc and is it only for active duty or for veterans as well?

Veterans also.  Need to send copy of DD214 the first time.  For subsequent bookings, this information is maintained and the amount appears right away.